Located in central England, Birmingham attracts visitors with its concert venues and shopping districts, art exhibitions, curry restaurants and chocolate factory. The city was at the heart of the industrial revolution in the 1700s and 1800s, with many advancements in technology and science developed in the city’s factories. Today, Birmingham is the second largest city in the United Kingdom. Getting around is made easy by an efficient public transport system of trains and buses. Explore the city’s canals – left over from the Industrial Revolution – by boat tour. Victoria Square is the focal point of the city many major attractions are within walking distance. Find Pre-Raphaelite masterpieces at the Birmingham Museum and Art Gallery. Shop for high-end clothing at The Mailbox, and admire the 18th-century architecture of Birmingham Cathedral. Learn about the impact of the Industrial Revolution at Thinktank Birmingham Science Museum. There are interactive activities for younger visitors, including a giant hamster wheel and square-wheeled wagon. Go to the Jewellery Quarter, just west of the city center, to learn about a centuries-old industry and shop for handcrafted pieces. Head south of the center to find chains stores and independent boutiques at the Bullring Shopping Centre. Birmingham’s music scene comes to life during the summer months. Enjoy free concerts during the Birmingham Jazz Festival. Listen to orchestras and world-famous musicians at Symphony Hall, a venue that hosts hundreds of events throughout the year.Take time to explore around 8,000 acres (3,237 hectares) of public green spaces. Sports enthusiasts will appreciate the golf courses and boating lakes at Sutton Park, north of the city center. To the south, at Sarehole Mill, you can walk in the footsteps of J.R.R. Tolkien. Both are a short train ride from the city center. Don’t miss out on Birmingham’s culinary scene, influenced by African, Caribbean, Chinese and Indian cultures. Visit the Curry Mile in the south of the city, so called for its large concentration of Indian restaurants, and get a chocolate hit during the tasting sessions at Cadbury World.
Birmingham
Visit Birmingham
Birmingham Travel Guide Video
Where to stay in Birmingham
Birmingham City Centre
Known for its fantastic nightlife and popular shops, there's plenty to explore in Birmingham City Centre. Check out top attractions like Birmingham Cathedral and Victoria Square, and jump on the metro at Grand Central Tram Stop or Corporation Street Tram Stop to see more of the city.
Edgbaston
Visitors often come to Edgbaston for its abundant dining options, but many stay to explore sights like Hagley Road and Birmingham Botanical Gardens. Getting around the area on the metro is easy if you catch a ride at Edgbaston Village Station.
Marston Green
Well-liked for its restaurants and museums, Marston Green is worth a visit. Check out the variety of things to see and do like The Bear Grylls Adventure and Resorts World Arena, and jump on the metro at Air Rail Link Tram Stop to get around the city.
Westside
Known for its fantastic nightlife and popular shops, there's plenty to explore in Westside. Check out top attractions like Broad Street and National SEA LIFE Centre, and jump on the metro at Five Ways Tram Stop or Brindley Place Tram Stop to see more of the city.
Coventry City Centre
Coventry City Centre is noteworthy for its museums, and you can make a stop at top attractions like Coventry Cathedral and Coventry Transport Museum.
Coleshill
Coleshill is well-liked for its restaurants. You can also take some time to explore sights in the surrounding area like Maxstoke Park Golf Club and The Bear Grylls Adventure.
Reviewed on Oct 28, 2024
Reviewed on Oct 28, 2024
Reviewed on Oct 28, 2024
Reviewed on Oct 23, 2024
Reviewed on Oct 21, 2024
Reviewed on Aug 26, 2024
Getting around Birmingham
If you’re staying in the city center of Birmingham, take advantage of the extensive pedestrianized zones and explore on foot – the best way to experience the city’s famous architecture up close. There is also an extensive bus network across the city, and local trains connect the city to the surrounding area. One trolley line, the Midland Metro, runs between the historic Jewellery Quarter and outlying towns. Visit the Transport for West Midlands website.Browse Birmingham rental cars.
Best time to visit
Birmingham has a temperate climate, with warm summers, cool winters and moderate rainfall throughout the year. To have the best chance of warm, sunny weather, you should visit between June and August, when average temperatures peak in the low 70s F (low 20s C). Spring and fall can variously be lovely and warm or rather cold, but prices are cheaper at this time of year. Winter is often gray, cold and wet.
Popular places to visit
Utilita Arena Birmingham
Catch an event at Utilita Arena Birmingham during your trip to Birmingham. Make time to visit the area's shops, or simply enjoy its lively bars.
Bullring & Grand Central
An ultra-modern complex, this shopping destination is built on the site of a centuries-old marketplace, continuing Birmingham’s tradition of commerce and ambition.
Broad Street
During your visit to Birmingham, you can search for that perfect souvenir at Broad Street. Discover the lively bars and great live music in this family-friendly area.
University of Birmingham
Enjoy the collegiate vibe when you visit University of Birmingham, during your trip to Birmingham. Make time to visit the area's shops, or simply enjoy its top-notch restaurants.
Cadbury World
Learn about the history of one of the world’s biggest chocolate manufacturers and sample various products at this interactive chocolate and entertainment center.
The Mailbox
Shop for designer clothes, sample international cuisine at waterside restaurants and watch a television show broadcast, all at this multipurpose retail center.
Things to do
Birmingham: Winterbourne House and Garden Admission Ticket
Birmingham: National Sea Life Centre Entrance Ticket
Birmingham: Cadbury World Entry Ticket
Birmingham City Centre Daily Walking Tour (10:30am)
Birmingham Slogging Gangs Walking Tour with Edward Shelby
Reviews of Birmingham
4/5 - Good
Birmingham is a pleasant change from London. Worth a visit.
5/5 - Excellent
Very lively atmosphere. Great restaurants and plenty to do
5/5 - Excellent
Loved the city!
3/5 - Okay
Nothing much to say about Birmingham, large multi-cultural city. Has its good points and its bad.
4/5 - Good
Very diverse, with great food. Easy to commute with old but interesting buildings . The people are very friendly and polite
4/5 - Good
Very sad to see how much rubbish, broken glass, graffiti, and homeless were on the streets. We haven’t been in Brum for 19 years and it has changed. BUT, it is still our cherished family city
Other places like Birmingham
- National Exhibition Centre
- Utilita Arena Birmingham
- Bullring & Grand Central
- Broad Street
- University of Birmingham
- Cadbury World
- The Mailbox
- Resorts World Birmingham
- International Convention Centre
- University of Warwick
- Coventry Building Society Arena
- O2 Academy Birmingham
- Villa Park
- Symphony Hall
- Birmingham Hippodrome
- Brindleyplace
- Victoria Square
- Belfry Golf Club
- Hagley Road
- Black Country Living Museum
- Birmingham Christmas Market
- Edgbaston Stadium
- Aston University
- Coventry Transport Museum
- Merry Hill
- Molineux Stadium
- National SEA LIFE Centre
- Coombe Abbey Country Park
- Wolverhampton Grand Theatre
- Coventry University